Drowning Prevention Tips

Close the Pool Gate - Save a Child's Life!
Assign a responsible adult to be a Water Watcher!
Drowning Facts

Most drowning and near-drowning occur when a child accidentally falls into a pool or is left alone in a tub. Remember. it takes only an inch of water and a few moments for a child to drown. Follow these water safety rules and make sure your children know them and observe them at all times.

If a child in missing, immediately look in the pool and/or spa first.

Never leave a child alone in a pool, spa, beach or tub - not even for a second. If you must leave for any reason, take the child with you.

Young children are never drown-proof, even if they've had 'water adjustment" instruction.

Enclose your pool and spa with a fence or wall. All gates should have a spring lock, self-closing and self-locking mechanism. The inside latch should be above the reach of toddlers and young children. Keep pool and spa areas locked to prevent unsupervised access.

Consider extra layers of protection such as safety fences, safety covers and alarms on doors and windows leading to the pool. However, do realize these devices are not fool-proof and there is no substitute for adult supervision.

When using safety fences, remove chairs, toys or other items that children could use to climb over the fence.

When using safety covers, fully remove before using the pool, replace them promptly after use and remove standing water after rains.

Teach your child pool or spa safety habits: no running, pushing, dunking or jumping on others; no diving or jumping in shallow water.

Don't rely solely on plastic inner tubes, inflatable arm hands or other toys to prevent accidents.

Keep toys, especially tricycles or wheel toys away from the pool or spa.

Don't allow anyone of any age to swim without a 'spotter" nearby. Examples of safety behavior by adults are important for young children.

Don't permit playful screaming (false alarms) for help; a real emergency could go unrecognized.

Teach your child the best way to get out of the pool or spa quickly.

Keep emergency reaching and throwing aids in a stationary position on both sides of the pool.

Don't allow your child to swim immediately after a heavy meal.

Don't allow swimming during thunderstorms.

Don't allow glass in the pool or spa area.

Don't allow the use of drugs or alcohol by persons using the pool, spa, or pool or areas.

Enroll children over three in swimming lessons taught by qualified instructors. Keep in mind that lessons don't make your child drown-proof.

Never let children swim alone or in unsupervised areas like quarries, canals or ponds.

Teach your swimmers never to dive into unknown bodies of water or from the sides or shallow ends of pools. Wade in first to test depth.

Both you and your children should learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) as soon as possible.

Have a portable or cell phone at the pool or spa. Teach your children how to dial the 9-1-1 emergency system.

Facts on Drowning

Fact:	Drowning is the leading cause of death for San Diego County children between one and four years old. About 70 percent of these drowning occur in a residential swimming pool or spa.
Fact:	In the past ten years, over 540 children were admitted to Children's Hospital for drowning and near incidents and 116 of them were deaths.
Fact:	Drowning is a silent event. Drowning children do not struggle or cry for help. Since the child submerges almost immediately, no warnings occur.
Fact:	Drowning occur in surprisingly short breaks of supervision. Victims were often last seen indoors or playing outdoors away fro the pool/spa area. Adults were almost always nearby.